Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026

119 HR 7298 IH: Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-01-30 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7298 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 30, 2026 Ms. Simon (for herself and Ms. Jacobs ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to alter project eligibility for the transit-oriented development planning grant program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 . 2. Grant program for transit-oriented development planning (a) In general Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303 note) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading by striking Pilot program and inserting Grant program ; (2) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking means a new fixed guideway capital project or a core capacity improvement project, as those terms are defined in section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this division. and inserting means— (i) a new fixed guideway capital project or a fixed guideway bus rapid transit project, as those terms are defined in section 5309; or (ii) a corridor-based capital investment in an existing fixed guideway system. ; and (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Predevelopment activities The term predevelopment activities includes planning, site evaluation, engineering and architectural design, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, accessibility assessments, and other activities necessary to prepare a site for transit-oriented development. ; (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting and predevelopment activities after planning ; (B) in subparagraph (E)— (i) by striking infrastructure and inserting and address infrastructure and utility ; and (ii) by striking and at the end; (C) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period at the end; and (D) by inserting at the end the following: (G) support predevelopment activities; and (H) improve access to transit and transit-oriented development sites for all users, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations, to ensure people of all ages and abilities can safely and efficiently reach and navigate transit stations and transit-oriented developments, including through paratransit connectivity and bicycle infrastructure. ; (4) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (D) by inserting and predevelopment activities after plan ; and (B) in subparagraph (E)(iii) by inserting and predevelopment activities after plan ; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (4) Authorization of appropriations In addition to any amounts appropriated under section 5338, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. . (b) Transfer Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303 note) is transferred to appear as subsection (s) of section 5303 of title 49, United States Code.